LEADERS Harbour View clinically took apart Arnett Gardens 4-0 on Sunday, dismissing claims that they were starting to choke on the lead entering the stretch run of the Wray and Nephew Premier League.
Playing at home after losing back-to-back matches, 0-1 to Reno in the league's second round final followed by a 0-3 drubbing from Tivoli Gardens in first round tie of the Red Stripe Champions' Cup quarter-finals, the Stars of the East rebounded in style, all but embarrassing Arnett Gardens.
Coach Lenny Hyde said he was happy the players were able to put those losses behind them and score a big win, which put them five points ahead of Reno after one game in the third round.
"I hope we continue on this trend," said Hyde, who returned to coach Harbour View for the 2006-2007 season after a long spell at Portmore United.
Harbour View's victory moved them to 50 points, five clear of chasing Reno, who drew 1-1 with Wadadah at Frome.
"I told the players they will have to take care of business ourselves," said Hyde, whose team's next assignment will be a tough one at Tivoli tomorrow afternoon as they need to score three unanswered goals at Railway Oval to level their Red Stripe Champions' Cup tie.
However, Sunday's display against Arnett suggests Harbour View cannot be written off.
Lovel Palmer started the rout when he arrived at the back post like a runaway train in the ninth minute to slot home a rebound off Kavin Bryan's 16-yard shot, which goalkeeper Julian McLeish failed to gather cleanly.
A disorganised Arnett midfield was again undone down the right flank in the 24th minute when midfielder Richard Edwards dribbled a long way inside his rivals' half before laying on a pass to Palmer, whose cross was met by in-form Fabian Taylor, who only had to guide in the ball with his chest on the goal-line.
Harbour View
4
(Lovel Palmer 9th, Fabian Taylor 24th, Kavin Bryan 54th, Mark Wisdom (og) 86th)
